Stylishly Affordable: Yamaha Launches Popular b1 Acoustic Upright Piano in the United States

BUENA PARK, Calif. — Yamaha Corporation of America announces the United States debut of the b1 Acoustic Upright Piano, the most affordable instrument in Yamaha's acoustic piano line. A favorite in Japanese and European households for years, the Continental style b1 is designed for maximum performance, incorporating exceptional craftsmanship, space-conscious design and high-quality sound at a wallet-friendly price.

According to Yamaha Acoustic Piano Marketing Manager Ed Bezursik, the U.S. market is primed for b1's winning combination of looks, value and quality. "In recent years, European-style cars, such as the revived Fiat and Mini-Cooper brands, have captured the imagination of American consumers," said Bezursik. "For piano lovers, the new b1 likewise meets those demands with style, offering exceptional sound quality and superior materials."

The sturdy contemporary design features back posts for added strength, while the specially designed soundboard and high-grade hammers endow the b1 with an unrivalled richness and sound depth for a 43" piano. Yamaha's renowned, pure, clear tone and easy to play, responsive keyboard touch make this upright ideal for beginning piano students.

Ideal for small spaces, the b1 Continental upright measures 43 inches high with a width and depth of 58 ¼ " and 21 ¼," respectively.

Seasoned specifically for the U.S. market, the b1 features a laminated soundboard that minimizes soundboard cracking. Yamaha reinforces the crown of its soundboard to ensure that the tone quality will remain consistent for years.

Yamaha's patented Extruded Aluminum Alloy Action Rail eliminates the common fluctuations in wood and metal encased rails, that affect touch, allowing for a more stable, long-lasting action regulation. Yamaha only uses select Spruce for the keys on all models of pianos. Like all Yamaha pianos, the b1 offers Uniform Key Travel to ensure that regardless of size, type or model, Yamaha keyboards will always feel the same.

Finally, the b Series offers a Balanced Action. Each key of a Yamaha piano is individually weighted, allowing all keys to play uniformly, ensuring a lifetime of superior touch and control across the entire keyboard.

Additional products in the line – the b2 and b3 – will make their debut at the Winter NAMM 2013 trade show in Anaheim, California. Available in an elegant polished ebony finish, the b1 upright carries an MSRP of $4,499.